The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-12-01

and "a looked at the lights / was almost
overcome with emotion, to think that had
so nearly succeeded, and was now prisoner
in sight of home and friends; that had in
fact passed the last pieket-as he had hailed
from the rear; but knew that must, under
the trying circumstances, keep a stiff upper
lip, and might yet get free.
My surprise at having the lights pointed
out as Georgetown College was so great that
/ must have expressed in some way my
feelings, as the officer looked at me quizzi-
cally. Iventured to express myself in some
way about being so near the Yankees, in a
manner which probably implied doubt as
to the lights being so close as Georgetown,
when he spoke up:
I" / know they are, because was demon
strator of anatomy and a tutor at that col
lege, and know all about it,"
And as further proof of his assertion he
incidentally observed:
"If you are around this country in day
light you can see the dome of the Capitol"
In the silence and gloom that had settled
down upon me Ikea cold heavy, wet blanket,
we walked together to the house Hitched
along the fence were several horses, all ready
saddled and bridled for sudden use; while
on the front porch of the house werestretched
asleep the forms of two or three men in gray
uniform with their belts and spurs buckled
on. Once inside the house, a tallOw candle
was found, and by its dim light the Con-
federate officer scanned my pass, and then
turning gave me most searching look by
the light of the candle as he said:
THIS PASS IS ALL RIGHT FOR THE INSIDE
OF OUR LINES"
"Oh," said quickly, I don't want a pass
anywhere else; I'm glad that / found you
here, or I'd have gone into the Yankees
hands, sure"
While talking to the sentry, when waiting
for the officer to come up to US, / had not
thought it necessary to attempt to destroy
or lose " the papers in my hat, as supposed
him to be the Union picket; and since the
officer had joined us, there had been no
opportunity to do anything with them with
out exciting suspicion, which was the one
thing to be avoided.
When we went into the house I had, OF
course, taken off nay hat; and as / sat there
under the scrutiny of that fellows black
eyes and sharp ross-examinatiOn, held my
hat in my hand, and every time my fingers
would touch or feel the presence Of the paper
in the hat L was conscious of flush of guilt
and apprehension, which happily the talloW
candle did not expose.
The officer, at my request, Hospitality ac-
cepted the suggestion that be permitted to
stay there under their protection until day
light, when / could return to our army,
he supplementing the arrangement by the
kind observation, "We will see you back
| safely"
Then rousing one of the sleeping soldiers
whom he called aside to give some private
directions as to my care and keeping, he
cOurteOusly told me to make myself comfort.
able, and apOlogized for the meager accom-
| modatiOns, which the fortunes of war pre-
vented being more ample, and, bidding me o
good night, he returned to his sentry.
WAS A PRISONER,
and I knew full well that to be escorted
back through the rebel armies with thi:
officers report that had been found al
their outpOsts going in the direction of the
enemy" would excite suspicion that would
be sure to set on foot a closer examination
and this would result in my certain detec.
tion; because the first thing they would dc
would probably be to show my forged in.
dOrsement from Gen. Beauregard's Chief Oi
| Staff for his further Endorsement, and could
not, of course, stand an examination into my
/ immediate anteeedents IN the rebel army
nor explain my statements; and they would
also discover my operations in the telegraph
Office.
As lay down alongside Of the armed
rebel trooper for a rest, resolved that, come
what might, / should not go back a pris
oner; that it would be preferable to be shot
while trying to escape rather than to b
hanged as spy.